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tortoise-shell

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
tor·toise·shell also tor·toise-shell or tor·toise shell  (tôrts-shl)
n.
1.
a. The mottled, horny, translucent, brownish covering of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, used to make combs, jewelry, and other articles.
b. A synthetic imitation of natural tortoiseshell.
2. See hawksbill.
3. A domestic cat having fur with brown, black, and yellowish markings.
4. Any of several butterflies, chiefly of the genus Nymphalis, having wings with orange, black, and brown markings.
tortoise·shell adj.
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Behind a desk, sat two old gentleman with powdered heads: one of whom was reading the newspaper; while the other was perusing, with the aid of a pair of tortoise-shell spectacles, a small piece of parchment which lay before him.
Oliver Twist Or The Parish Boy's Progress by Dickens, Charles View in context
Edmund accordingly received instructions to open the tortoise-shell box, and give Mr Merdle the tortoise-shell knife.
Little Dorrit by Dickens, Charles View in context
She put on her great round spectacles with tortoise-shell rims and sat down to her letter.
The Two Destinies by Collins, Wilkie View in context
 
 
 
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